While Red Hulk may be the strongest Hulk, he also has the biggest Achilles heel. Throughout Marvel's history, the Hulk has always been one of the universe's most powerful and unpredictable characters. However, the introduction of the Red Hulk brought Hulk's title as "the strongest there is" into question.

Red Hulk has long been depicted as the strongest Hulk in of raw power, yet, as powerful as he is, he has a critical vulnerability that can easily be exploited.

Unlike the traditional Hulk, whose strength increases exponentially with anger, the Red Hulk’s power manifests in intense heat, which becomes both a weapon and a weakness. This heat is one of the reasons behind his crimson complexion, but it's also a major liability. When Red Hulk's heat is sustained for too long, it severely damages his body, hinders his healing ability, and can even cause him to revert to his human form.

Red Hulk’s Power Comes with a Major Catch

He's Too Hot to Handle

As Red Hulk becomes angrier, his body generates increasingly intense heat, but the hotter he gets, the more it damages him internally. Red Hulk’s fire eventually becomes a debilitating force, weakening him over time, unlike other Hulks who gain strength the angrier they get. His internal heat makes it difficult for him to heal, and at some point, the pain from the constant combustion can cause him to revert to his human form.

Someone like Captain America or even Wolverine could easily take down Ross if they let him blow off some steam first.

This weakness is best seen in 2008's Hulk #6 by Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness, Dexter Vines, Jason Keith, Guru-eFX, Richard Starkings, and Albert Deschesne, where Red Hulk's increasing body temperature slows his regeneration, eventually causing him to out. He may be the strongest Hulk, but his strength comes with a time limit. This defining characteristic distinguishes the Red Hulk from his green counterpart beyond the simple color change.

Just Because Red Hulk Can Burn Out Doesn't Mean He Won't Bring the Heat

Exploiting Red Hulk’s Weakness Can Be Tricky

On paper, this critical flaw is enough to be exploited by weaker characters. Someone like Captain America or even Wolverine could easily take down Ross if they let him blow off some steam first. The heat generated by the Red Hulk makes him difficult to get close to. When he first meets Hulk, the heat is so intense that it turns the sand beneath them into glass. So, even if someone knows about this weakness, it doesn't necessarily mean that they can take him one-on-one.

Red Hulk may be the most powerful Hulk in of base strength, but his volatile internal heat is a major weakness that can be exploited. By forcing him to sustain high levels of anger, he leaves himself vulnerable to those with enough patience and heat-resistant gear. While his strength is unmatched, his unique weakness keeps the character grounded. It's certainly no reason to underestimate him in a fight, but it is helpful to keep in mind whenever Red Hulk enters the ring.

Hulk #6 is available now from Marvel Comics.